Maaz Sadaqat continued his sensational all-round form with a commanding half-century and two wickets as Pakistan Shaheens stormed to an eight-wicket win over India A in their Group B clash of the Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Sunday night.
Chasing 137, the Shaheens reached the target in just 13.2 overs with 40 balls to spare, thanks to Maaz’s unbeaten 79 — his second consecutive Player of the Match performance. The 20-year-old left-hander struck seven fours and four sixes, building on his 96* against Oman two days earlier, and complemented his batting heroics with miserly figures of 2-12 in a three-over spell featuring a wicket-maiden.
Maaz and Mohammad Naeem (14 off 10) provided a blistering 55-run start in the Powerplay, immediately putting India A on the back foot. A 20-run seventh over — featuring two massive sixes off Naman Dhir — saw Maaz bring up his fifth T20 fifty off 31 balls, reducing the required rate to under five an over.
From there, the Shaheens cruised to victory, losing only Yasir Khan along the way. Mohammad Faiq (16* off 14) partnered Maaz in an unbeaten 41-run stand and finished the game with a six as Pakistan secured their second win of the tournament. Their final group match is against UAE on Tuesday.
Earlier, India A, after racing to 91-2 in 9.4 overs, collapsed dramatically to 136 all out in 19 overs. Shahid Aziz (3-24) led the bowling effort, with Saad Masood and Maaz claiming two wickets apiece.
Top-scorer Vaibhav Suryavanshi (45 off 28) and Naman Dhir (35 off 20) threatened a big total with a 49-run partnership, but Sufyan’s dismissal of Suryavanshi in the 10th over triggered a slide of 8 for 45. Maaz’s wicket-maiden in the 13th over and Saad’s double strike further dismantled the innings before Shahid wrapped things up with two wickets in the 19th over.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan Shaheens beat India A by eight wickets
India A 136 all out, 19 overs (Vaibhav Suryavanshi 45, Naman Dhir 35; Shahid Aziz 3-24, Maaz Sadaqat 2-12, Saad Masood 2-31)
Pakistan Shaheens 137-2, 13.2 overs (Maaz Sadaqat 79*)
Player of the Match: Maaz Sadaqat (Pakistan Shaheens)
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